Since we know Oak Onaodowan will be the next Pierre, who would make good replacements for Natasha and Anatole?

[willrolandsframes]

For me, personally, (assuming a Pippa return doesn't occur), I'd love to see someone like Jasmine Cephas Jones get their shot at the role. I feel like there's a wide range of people who could play Natasha, but with Oak joining, JCJ seems like she could work.

As far as Anatole goes (assuming Josh Canfield isn't put into a Seth Stewart situation), here's an interesting possibility: Colton Ryan. While he may currently be the understudy to a character that is the utter antithesis of Anatole, I've heard nothing but great things about that kid, and he seems like someone who might just be able to pull of Anatole. Maybe not as good as Lucas Steele, but he seems like a serviceable replacement once Steele departs.

What are your thoughts?

[HeyMrMusic]

I'd love to see Ashley Park as Natasha.

[Rainah]

They're hard, active roles so I keep coming up blank. Reading about everything the actors go through just to be able to run a show up and down all those staircases, while hitting obscenely high notes... Lucas Steele better win that tony, he's a tough act to follow

That being said, I think they'll court a bigger name for Natasha and cast a nobody for Anatole (so they can get someone who can handle the ridiculous requirements for the role)

[ElphabaGoodman]

Solea Pfeiffer for Natasha

[Call_me_jorge]

Mike Faist for Anatole 

[HeyMrMusic]

Devin Ilaw as Anatole. He has the vocal range and the instrumental abilities to play the role.

[IdinaBellFoster]

HeyMrMusic said: "I'd love to see Ashley Park as Natasha."

LOVE this. 

[wonderfulwizard11]

Call_me_jorge said: "Mike Faist for Anatole "

Mike Faist is at least 10 years too young for Anatole- the character isn't a teenager. 

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Ashley Park would make a wonderful Natasha!

[Valentina3]

wonderfulwizard11 said: "Call_me_jorge said: "Mike Faist for Anatole "

Mike Faist is at least 10 years too young for Anatole- the character isn't a teenager. "

^Yes. So is Colton Ryan. Whoever replaces Lucas has huge shoes to fill, for sure. I think Matt Doyle could be an interesting choice, but he also suffers from baby-face syndrome. Jay Armstrong Johnson would be likely be great as well (nope, I cannot have enough of that guy haha).

I love CJC and Adrienne Warren suggestions. Natasha is a very difficult part as well, one of the newer Christine Dae's could be a good choice.

Josh Radnor could be a great Pierre down the line. I doubt he'll take a replacement role, but still...

 

[imeldasturn]

Matt Doyle is an amazing vocalist but his acting is not particularly good

[pupscotch]

I think Ashley Park would be a terrific Natasha, but I'm still holding on to my very tiny bit of hope that she will be Eliza in My Fair Lady. Maybe Ali Ewoldt, the current Christine in Phantom? 

I have no idea who could replace Lucas as Anatole. They have their hands full finding someone that can match him.

[little_sally]

Now I really want to see Ashley Park as Natasha.

[AC126748]

No comment on his appropriateness for the role, but you people realize Mike Faist is in his late twenties, don't you? He's not a teenager. He just plays one. 

[curiousincident]

Brendon Urie's a great singer and depending on how his acting is in Kinky Boots, I could potentially see him as Anatole 

[ahhrealmonsters]

"No comment on his appropriateness for the role, but you people realize Mike Faist is in his late twenties, don't you? He's not a teenager. He just plays one."

If memory serves me correctly, he was roughly 18 during Newsies, which would make him max 23.

[willrolandsframes]

Mike Faist was born January 5, 1991, making him 26.

Although I don't really feel like real-life age could ruin someone's chances for a part like Anatole. I was stunned when I found out Lucas was well above 30. I was thinking mid-to-high 20's.

[Call_me_jorge]

Didn't someone describe Anatole and Natasha as teenagers, though??

found the video. They say it around 1:10 https://youtu.be/VwywWXDONQo. It's also young kids, instead of teenagers. 

[BroadwayRox3588]

Don't laugh...but Adam Lambert as Anatole. Just a concept.

[colorsblend]

BroadwayRox3588 said: "Don't laugh...but Adam Lambert as Anatole. Just a concept.

 

"

Yes to this. I can see it. He can definitely hit those notes.

[wonderfulwizard11]

AC126748 said: "No comment on his appropriateness for the role, but you people realize Mike Faist is in his late twenties, don't you? He's not a teenager. He just plays one. "

Well, he plays a teenager very convincingly, which for me makes him look to young to play Anatole. 

[Woland]

Do you think the producers will feel the need to cast a star (from the general public's point of view) to play Natasha, in the way that Josh Groban has been so important to Comet's initial Broadway run? Or does the show itself have enough momentum at this point to carry it through 2018 with Oak as Pierre, and a Natasha who's perhaps well-known only in the theater community? Also, does Denee Benton have a firm end date, or might she play the role through all of 2018?

[thebookofwhizzer]

Valentina3 said: "

Josh Radnor could be a great Pierre down the line. I doubt he'll take a replacement role, but still...

 

 

"Agreed!!!

 

[The Josh]

I'd love to see Jason Danieley as Pierre somewhere down the line.

 

and I love the idea of Ashley Park as Natasha!! 

[Auggie27]

They're going to need a name to joint the show sometime. It's not selling well post-Groban.  It need not be Pierre, and maybe the secret weapon in sustaining a run is to slip someone into one of the other roles. But the show is not the star, and not (yet) a brand.  They need some star power post-Labor Day, if not before.  This is not my opinion, it's a financial fact. When Groban misses 3 - 5 performances, the BO drops hundreds of thousands, not tens. When he's gone for good, the show has an image/"event" problem, unless it sweeps the Tonys.